IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Ten

Dallas Turner | © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Jason Abbey Posted On November 6, 2024

The midway point in the NFL season is no time for fantasy managers to become complacent, irrespective of whether your team is still in contention or in rebuild mode. Here, we look at some of the moves you can make in preparation for week ten to stay ahead of the competition.

Daiyan Henley, LB LAC – Start

2024 has been fun for Henley’s IDP managers. Many assumed he would have a significant role to start the season, only to discover that the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, intended to rotate up to three players at the position.

Henley’s fantasy managers quickly came to terms with the idea that he would be mired in a three-man rotation, but then Colson suffered an injury, and Henley began commanding the role we initially envisaged.

Here is Minter running another Tampa 2 drop concept but with Derwin James controlling the middle of the field. Great PBU from Daiyan Henley! pic.twitter.com/F0rTf0wU7S

— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) November 5, 2024

Henley’s snap share dipped slightly upon Colson’s return, but in the last three games, he has earned 81%, 100%, and 85% of the defensive snaps, respectively.

Perhaps Minter has seen sense and realized Henley is the most talented linebacker available. Whatever the reason for his increased role, it appears we can count on the second-year player to serve as a low-end LB2 for the foreseeable.

Dallas Turner, EDGE MIN – Trade for

The production of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Patrick Jones II has allowed the Minnesota Vikings to bring Dallas Turner along slowly. The 17^th overall pick played only 85 defensive snaps between week one and week eight.

Turner’s role grew significantly in week nine, and he out-snapped Jones for the first time since week one. It was his best performance to date, as he produced four pressures on only 11 pass rush attempts.

It’s far too early to suggest that Turner has arrived, and his IDP managers may continue to rue the choice to draft him over Los Angeles Rams rookie Jared Verse – the clear favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. However, if you believed in Turner’s ability pre-draft, this may be an opportune time to try and acquire him from IDP managers who have become prematurely impatient with the lack of immediate return on their investment.

Turner has slipped to 3^rd overall in the DLF Rookie IDP rankings, but as mentioned, his lack of production is more about competition than lack of potential.

Kerby Joseph, S DET – Trade away

Joseph has improved significantly in 2024 and has undoubtedly cemented himself as one of the star performers in the Detroit Lions’ secondary. He has played well in run defense, missed only 8.7% of his tackle attempts, and, even more impressively, recorded six interceptions in his last eight games.

KERBY JOSEPH PICK-6! His 6th INT of the season

📺: #DETvsGB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/sJrkdGgLqA

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

There is every chance that Joseph could continue to play well for the remainder of the season and finish as the DB1 overall. Still, as we have pointed out in earlier versions of this article, very few DBs repeat as top performers from one season to the next. Additionally, we know his interception rate will decrease as the season unfolds.

Put simply, Joseph’s value may never be higher than it is currently. We aren’t advocating that you trade him for peanuts, we are simply suggesting you test the waters in trade talks. You might be surprised.

Jordan Battle, S CIN – Add

Big things were expected from the former Alabama Crimson Tide star after he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2023 draft, and his career got off to a fine start after replacing incumbent safety Nick Scott as the starting safety in week 11 of his rookie season.

The Bengals acquired Geno Stone and Vonn Bell, and the two veterans dominated snaps at safety to start the 2024 season, relegating Battle almost exclusively to special teams. IDP managers could be forgiven for cutting ties with the young safety, but those who remained patient appear set to reap the reward. In week nine, Battle’s role grew from 5% to 51% as he split time with Bell.

Battle could become a solid fantasy contributor if the week nine trend continues. Pick him up if you need additional help at DB.

Conclusion

At this point in the season, some fantasy managers tend to lose patience with underperforming rookies. Avoid falling into that trap. Players such as Dallas Turner may yet emerge down the stretch to help carry your team to fantasy success.